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SMITH’s FRACTURE

Smith’s Fractures is also known as a Goyrand Fracture in French literature. Smith’s fracture is palmarly displaced distal radius fracture. It is referred to as “GARDEN SPADE” deformity. Smith’s fracture is a reversed Colles fracture.

EIPDEMOLOGY

Smith’s fracture account for less than 3% of all fractures of the radius and ulna and have a bimodal distribution: young males (most common) and elderly females.

MECHANISM

Smith’s fractures usually occur in one of the 2ways:

A fall onto a flexed wrist

Direct blow to the back of the wrist

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Typically acute pain in the wrist from an impact or a fall.

Tenderness in the affected area.

Pain is felt while moving the wrist.

Development of swelling.

Wrist may become deformed.

Appearance of hand being downwards.

Fractured may develop a cracking noise.

Symptoms of fever few hours after injury.

CLASSIFICATION

SMITH’S FRACTURE can be broadly be classified into two types.

NONDISPLACED FRACTURE

This is frequently called as mild fracture. The treatment for this condition is casting. Once the problem is diagnosed immediate attention must be given. The area of the fracture gets healed in few weeks.

DISPLACED FRACTURE

This type of fracture is very severe in nature. Displaced generally leads to very serious and dangerous damage to the bone. In this condition the joint of the wrist is often displaced forward creating discomfort over the wrist while moving in some angles.

Types of SMITH’S FRACTURE classified based on the type of injury.

INVESTIGATION

X-ray of the wrist.

CT/MRI in rare cases

TREATMENT

Smith’s Fractures can be treated with manipulation and reduction.

NONSURGICAL TREATMENT:

Conservatives measures involve closed reduction with use of local anesthesia and then casting of hand to thumb. It takes about 10 weeks for complete recovery, which involves period of immobilization for about a month and then splinting for 6 weeks.

SURGICAL TREATMENT

Surgery is needed in majority of cases with Smiths Fracture as the deformity cannot be treated with nonsurgical means. This method is termed as OPEN REDUCTION.
This is done by creating an incision for interpretation of fracture and to get it back to its normal place. This at times requires pins, screws, etc for fixation.

PHYSIOTHERAPY

This is essential for everyone for appropriate healing and normalizes function of wrist and hand can include: